Air conditioning unit



March 12, 1968 DYAS ETAL 3,372,557

AIR CONDITIONING UNIT Filed Sept. 12, 1966 a Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORSRICHARD F, SHARP ROBERT E. S

ATTORNEYS I March 12, 1968 R. E. [ms ET 3,372,557

AIR CONDITIONING UNIT Filed Sept. 12, I966 v a Sheets-Sheet ii INVENTORSRICHARD F. SHAR P 2055M E. 0Y3 B Y ATTOR N IFY-S March 12,1968 v vR/E-DYAsEr'AL 3,372,557

AIR CONDITIONING UNIT 7 Filed Sept. 12, 1966 '5 Sheets-Sheet t;

INVENTORS RICHARD F. SHARP W; 96 @OBERT E. DYAS L M M ATTOR NEYSPatented Mar. 12, 1968 3,372,557 AIR CONDITIONING UNIT Robert E. Dyas,Manitau Beach, and Richard F. Sharp,

Hillsdale, Mich, assignors to Addison Products Company, Addison, Mich.,a corporation of Michigan Filed Sept. 12, 1966, Ser. No. 578,702

' 7 Claims. (Cl. 62-262) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The inventionresides in an air conditioning unit for installation in both sliding anddouble-hung windows in which a common base is provided for evaporatorand compressor cabinet structures located on opposite sides of thewindow. A slot in the common base terminates at a narrow, reinforcedcorner common to the sections spaced by the slot. The evaporator andcompressor cabinet structures are carried upon the two sections andfunctionally connected to each other across the common reinforced cornerby conduit structure.

Heretofore, it has been proposed to partially divide the cabinetstructure of a window air conditioning unit in such a manner that a partof the window structure could be disposed within the profile of thecabinet. In the Lipman Patent No. 2,604,763 such a unit is shown adaptedto a double-hung window. The Deering Patent No. 2,610,483 shows a unitfor a casement window in whichthe condenser section is partially dividedto accommodate a vertical mullion between two unglazed lights. However,the arrangements of these two patents are not adaptable to horizontallysliding windows.

According to the invention, the advancement in the art of window airconditioners is characterized by a split chassis having a condensersection and an evaporator section in spaced relation except for a narrowrelatively rigid common connector located between said sections anddisposed adjacent the corners thereof. When installed in a window havinga sliding sash, the sliding sash, when substantially closed, islocatedbetween the condenser and evaporator sections and abuts the commonconnector. A suitable filler seals the narrow opening'between thesliding sash andthe window frame which results from the interference ofthe common connector. In the vertical projection of the common connectorare housed the electrical, refrigerant, condensation and air connectionsextending between the evaporator and condenser sections.

More specifically, the invention takes the form of a relatively flat,rigid sheet metal chassis or base having two spaced pan sections eachhaving a rigid reinforcing common connector in one corner. The edges ofthe spaced sections are flanged for rigidity, as are the edges of thecommon connector which is preferably a box section. The spaced pansections provide support for the evaporator condenser structure and thehousings therefor.

Thus, an object of the invention is to provide an air conditioning unitspecially adapted for horizontally sliding windows which is sufiicientlyrigid to enable the same to be handled during transportation and to beinstalled by homeowners and other unskilled persons, with theoverhanging condenser section capable of being conveniently supportedfrom the sill.

Another object is to provide an air conditioning unit which lends itselfto installation in both horizontally sliding and double-hung windows.

A further object is to provide an air conditioning unit which isconveniently adapted for use with sliding windows as well as beingadapted for installation in walls and bulkheads and is of such a designthat maximum heat and sound insulation takes place between theevaporator and condenser sections.

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision of asplit, twosection, sheet metal base, each section having a commonconnector at one corner which reinforces the spaced sections of the baseupon which the evaporator and condenser housing and associated mechanismof an air conditioning unit are carried.

These and other objects and advantages will more fully appear from thefollowing specification and appended claims:

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a conventional sliding window withwooden sash showing the air conditioning unit installed as viewed fromthe inside,

FIG. 2 shows the unit of FIG. 1 in perspective, as removed from thewindow,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the sheet metal base of the unit shownin FIG. 2 prior to attachment of the reinforcement structure to thecommon connector,

FIG. 4 is a perspective View of the reinforcement for the commonconnector of the base sections,

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view of the reinforcement of FIG. 4 welded intothe base structure of FIG. 2,

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the unit showingthe duct and vent stlucture disposed in the vertical projection of thecommon connector,

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the filler and seal taken on line VIIVIIof FIG. 1,

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 taken on line VIIIVIII of FIG. 1showing the seal between the fixed and sliding sashes of the window.

FIG. 9 shows the sill mounting detail of the unit shown in FIG. 1, I

FIG. 10 shows the unit of FIG. I mounted in a doublehung window, and

FIG. 11 shows the sealing strip used when the unit of FIG. 1 isinstalled in a double-hung window.

Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional sliding window 10 is shown having afixed sash 12 and a horizontally sliding sash 14. An air conditioningunit '16 is shown positioned in the window 10 with the sash 14substantially closed, the narrow vertical opening between the end 18 ofthe sash 14 and the frame 19, caused by the interference of thereinforcing corner structure, generally designated 20, of the unit 16being shown sealed by a suitable filler means, generally indicated at22.

As shown in FIG. 2, the unit 16 comprises an evaporator housing 24 and acondenser housing 26 carried upon a chassis or base structure having acommon connector which partially defines a reinforcing corner structuregenerally designated 20 in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The main structural base member for the support of the housings 24 and26 and the conventional refrigerating apparatus disposed thereinpreferably takes the form of a one-piece sheet metal split pan 28 havingdrawn flanges 30 and lanced and turned flanges 32, 34 and 36. Thesections 38 and 40 of the pan 28 are attached by a common connectorportion 42 disposed at one corner of each of the rectangular sections 38and 40, the portion 42 being one of the structural elements of thereinforcing corner structure of sections 38 and 40.

To reinforce the portion 42 and the flanges 30 and 36 directly adjacentthereto, a sheet metal part, generally designated 44, of the shape shownin FIG. 4 is provided. As shown, the part 44 comprises two similarparallel angle portions 46 and 48 having a common connecting web 50 witha vertical flange 52. Integral with the portions 46 and 48, and locatedon the vertical legs thereof, are attachment flanges 54.

In FIG. 5 the part 44 of FIG. 4 is shown welded in position, the flanges54 being welded to the adjacent flange 30, the flange 52 being welded tothe flange 36 and the angle portions 46 and 48 being welded to theflanges 32 and 34 as well as to the pan 28. In this manner, a rigid,six-sided box section is provided in the region of the common connectorportion 42 of the pan 28.

As shown in FIG. 4, the part 44 is preferably provided with opening 56to accommodate the condenser drain tube 58 extending between theevaporator and condenser sections of the unit 16 (see FIG. 6).

Substantially within the vertical projection of the web 50 of thereinforced corner structure is preferably located the refrigerant tube60 and the air vent conduit 62. A suitable inverted U-shape cover 64 isshown masking the tube 60 and conduit 62 as well as the part 44, thecover 64 also functioning to fill the space between the housings 24 and26 in the region of the reinforced corner structure. A screw 66 is shownholding the cover 64 to the flange 30.

To reduce the vertical dimension of the structure above the portion 42of the pan 28 to a minimum, the air ye- 62 may be omitted and therefrigerant tube 60 may be inserted in holes provided in the part 44 inthe same manner as the drain tube 54. Similarly, the conduit 68 for theelectrical conduit may be lowered into the profile of the part 44. For amore complete disclosure of the air vent 62 and its associatedadjustment structure, reference mm be had to copending application Ser.No. 586,865, filed Oct. 14, 1966.

To seal the openings between the sash 14 and the frame 19, as well asbetween the sashes 12 and 14, caused by the interference of the cornerstructure 20, a suitable filler strip 70 is provided with grooves 72 inwhich to receive and support the sealing strips 74 which engage with theedge 18 and frame 19 (see FIG. 7), the lower end of the strip 70 restingon the top of the cover 64 and the strips 74 extending along both sidesof the cover 64. As shown in FIG. 8, a vertical sealing strip 76 sealsthe vertical space 78 between the sashes 12 and 14. A sealing strip isalso provided between the portion 42 of the pan 28 and the channel ofthe window frame in which the sliding sash operates.

FIG. 9 shows one manner of supporting the unit 16 on the window sill. Asillustrated, support brackets St are located at opposite sides of thecondenser portion and attached to the pan section 38 by a cap screw 82.Lag-screws 84 attach the brackets 30, at the proper height, to the sill86 while each adjusting screw 88, threaded in the brackets 80, abuts thesill 86 to take the torque. In practice, the entire weight of the unit16 may be carried on the brackets 80 with the evaporator portion of theunit 16 slightly spaced above the stool 90.

By retaining the vertical dimension of the reinforcing corner 20 to aminimum, the unit 16 is well adapted for installation in double-hungwindows as well as horizontally sliding windows. Such use is shown inFIG. wherein the lower sash 92 of the double-hung window 94 is shownlowered between the condenser and evaporator housings 24 and 26 with theopening 96 between the window stool and the lower edge of the sash 92approximating the vertical dimension of the reinforcing corner 20. InFIG. 11 is shown a sealing and filler member 98 having a clearanceportion 100 to accommodate the reinforcing corner 29 and fill theopening 96.

It should be understood that the controls 102 for the unit 16 may belocated on either the right side of the front panel 104, as shown, or onthe left side. Also, the structure constituting the reinforcing corner20 may be located at the left end of the space between the sections 24and 26, as shown in FIG. 2, to accommodate a window which slides to theleft to close, as shown in FIG. 1, or at the right end for use in awindow which slides to the right to close.

What is claimed is: r

1. An air conditioning unit comprising a split twosection base, eachsection of the base being generally rectangular and having a commonconnector extending between opposed corner portions of said section toprovide a common reinforcing corner structure for said sections, saidsections being disposed in substantially the same horizontal plane andhorizontally separated from each other except at said common. connector,condenser structure supported on one of said sections and evaporatorstructure supported on the other of said sections, and conduit meansconnecting said condenser and evaporator structures and extendingbetween said sections, said means being substantially disposed withinthe vertical projection of said reinforcing corner structure.

2. An air conditioning unit as defined in claim 1, wherein saidreinforcing corner structure is of box-like form and at least one ofsaid conduit means is housed by said corner structure.

3. An air conditioning unit as defined in claim 1, wherein housings areprovided for said condenser and evaporator structures, and means forsupporting said housings on said sections in spaced horizontal relationwherebya vertical insulating wall such as the sash of a horizontallysliding window may be disposed between said housings and theirsupporting base sections.

4. An air conditioning unit as defined in claim 1, wherein said base isof one-piece construction with flanged edges with said corner structurebeing partially defined there-by.

5. An air conditioning unit as defined in claim 4, wherein saidreinforcing corner structure comprises a reinforcing member imposed uponsaid base and being in the form of spaced parallel angular portionsattached to said flanged edges and connected by a common web in spacedrelation to said base to define a box section therewith.

6. An air conditioning unit as defined in claim 3,'wherein conduit meansfor the ventingof air between said housings is directly imposed uponsaid reinforcing corner structure and between the vertical projection ofthe sides thereof spanning said structure.

7. An air conditioning unit as defined in claim 3, wherein clearance isprovided for verticalinsulating wall structure between said housingsexcept in the immediate area of said reinforcing corner structurewhereby either a vertically or horizontally sliding window sash may besubstantially disposed between said housings with a minimumof'interference to the closing of the sash.

, References Cited UNITED WILLIAM J. WYE, Primary Examin r.

